"OH Thank God!" A red, green, and purple blur suddenly crashes into her as she finds herself into a strangled hug.

"I thought for sure you'd forgotten about us!" Freddie cries dramatically.

She rolls her eyes.

Sure, they couldn't really track days right now, but seriously?

It couldn't have been more than forty eight hours since the last they'd seen each other and half the food for the ship was still stored here.

And she thought Harry was extra.

Her eyes widen when Freddie subtly caresses her ass in her fit before a laugh leaves her.

"Knock it off," Celia groans as she yanks her sister off of her. "You're embarrassing me."

"Wha-" Freddie blinks innocently from her new spot on the floor. "I was jus' excited ta see our new Captain."

"Uh-huh." Cecelia responds with a roll of her eyes.

"Uh, well actually, " Freddie pouts as she crosses her arms over her chest, "I was jus' checkin' ta make sure she's real."

"I'm real Freddie." She puts a hand on her hip. "An' glad ta know ya thought I'd gotten myself ghosted." She raises her brow.

Freddie sniffs before she stands and throws her arms around her again, "We've been here for so long!"

"What'd I just say," Celia snaps as she snags her sister again, "Sorry, Captain." She sighs, head hung in exasperation.

"Yer sister's just extra, I know." She smiles at the younger girl, "But here, we have a few things for you guys," She digs in her pocket and pulls out the necklaces.

"Ooooh!" Freddie claps, "A gift? For muah?" She holds out her hand.

"Yes, Voodoo Princess," She holds up the small doll charm, "You even get a special one."

The pitch Freddie manages to hit nearly bursts her ear drum.

"Ohmyvoodoo!" She wails as she snatches it and presses it close to her chest as she jumps excitedly.

"That's a pitch." James grumbles as he starts collecting bags to sling over his shoulders.

"Mhmm." She grits her teeth, grateful that Gil and Deez had gone to the cove. Her Sweet Boy and Baby Girl both had sensitive hearing.

Add to that she was currently being full on groped and kissed.

And she wasn't sure what Gil'd have done with that.

Though, honestly- "Can you not?" She pushes the other girl off.

-she'd feel awful leaving Deez to handle so much hands as well.

"For you Captain, I can try." Freddie winks as she steps back and slips the twine around her neck.

"Thank the sea gods for that." She rolls her eyes.

"So, whats it do?" She asks as she holds the small charm in her hand curiously?

"It will help shield you from the powers you are unaccustomed to." Yensid offers with a small smile.

"And once we know they work," she nods tightly, "we're getting you all outta here."

It was the only reason she'd agreed to bring Yensid along and leave her ship in Sam's hands.

The what if.

If the charms weren't powerful enough, Yensid's job was to get the group back to safety and stay with them until he could fix the charms.

"Oh," Freddies hand grips the charm tightly, "Thank fuckin' voodoo. A girl can't jus' live in a room like this, it's torture."

"Hey," Another boy huffs, "Ain't like it's been a thrill ta be stuck with you either."

"See," Freddie points, "There's jus' no appreciation."

"Cause yer obnoxious." Celia crosses her arms.

"And loud." Another of the magic wielders adds.

"And bossy," Another voice chirps in.

"And handsy," Another girl adds in accusation.

"Okay, who wants charms to help them with their magic?" She asks before the din can become a full roar of complaints.

Everyone's hand in the room shoots up but Celia's.

"Is it gonna mess with my readin's?"

"You can have a normal one that just helps to shield you from other magic if you'd like." She offers as she holds out a shark tooth charm.

"Oh," She raises her hand. "That one, I want that." She nods as she takes it and places it over her head.

She quickly passes out the rest of the charms before she looks around with a satisfied nod, "Everyone grab something to take with you, we're running back to the ship."

Everyone quickly scrambles to grab something and she grins.

Now this was what she was talking about.

No lip.

No questions.

No hesitation.

Just swift adherence to her, it hadn't even been an order.

A smile curves her lips.

As messed up as the situation was, she wasn't about to lie to herself-

She shakes her head as she goes and loads what she can carry herself.

-she could get used to this.

"In the future," Yensid claims the attention of the entire room as he stands in front of the door, "if anyone finds themselves needing this sanctuary again, the charms around your neck are keys."

Seriously?

They hadn't talked about-

She smiles as she turns to Yensid in appreciation.

Sure, she'd open her home to him, but to have him open his home to so many of them.

Hell, most of them even strangers to her?

That was unexpected.

Unexpected but appreciated.

It made her feel like they were in an entirely new book.

Yensid smiles as he hoists a bag over his shoulder and opens the door, "Please, stay in pairs until we reach the ship." One of his hands drops to Freddie's shoulder, "And shout if you experience the debilitating effects that affected you previously."

"I'll stay ta the back," James offers quickly.

"So I've got middle then, you lead the way ol' Man." She smiles up at Yensid.

"As you wish Captain," He smiles back, eyes warm with mirth.

She watches as the kids file out after him before slipping into the line herself.

The walk here had been eerily silent, but now?

It was like people were coming out just to see what was happening.

And she wasn't liking it.

Which was weird for her.

She loved attention.

Loved people rushing to move out of her way.

But this?

She frowns as she looks around.

A few old women eyeing Yensid had her hand automatically moving to the sword at her hip.

The whispers.

The side glances.

She bites the inside of her cheek as she takes a slow breath.

It was easier to do underwater, but if she calmed down enough she could usually do it on land too.

"He's powerful. Look-it how they follow after like ducks."

"Guess it don't take much for one like 'em."

Her brow furrows, but when she looks to the chatty women they avert their eyes and walk in the opposite direction.

Suspicion creeps over her as she narrows her eyes.

She didn't like the-

Envy?

Bitterness?

Disgust?

-in their tones.

It sent something in her on edge.

Tempted her to do something stupid-

Like T level stupid-

But common sense kept her from initiating a confrontation.

She turns back to the line in front of her-

Ugh.

She grimaces.

T was never going to let her hear the end of it if he knew they'd drawn so much attention with this extraction.

And if the feeling in the pit of her stomach meant anything-?

She wouldn't blame him.

There was something in their whispers.

Something dark,

Foreboding.

Uneasiness settles over her like a wet blanket.

Cold.

Uncomfortable.

And heavy.

Made her want to rush everyone back to her ship.

To safety.

But that would only draw more attention than they already were.

She takes another deep breath.

Whatever they were talking about-

Whatever she'd detected in their tones-

-something in her was telling her it was for the best to let them to believe themselves true.

That the Isle's only known hero was-

Was what?

Protecting children?

No. Her frown deepens.

This was the Isle-

And those woman were looking at them in disdain.

So-

Her heart stills.

Wait-

Her brows furrow.

Hero?

Or Wizard?

She looks back over her shoulder, but the women were already gone.

"Cap'n?" James calls over the handful of kids between them.

She bites her lip before she shakes her head.

No, it was too reckless to go after them on her own.

"Later," she promises with a pointed look, relieved when he nods and drops it.

She sighs, later.

When they could rip the few scant sentences apart to try to fill themselves in on the missing pieces.

He wasn't sure he'd ever been on the Isle with T this long without the other boy talking-

And he couldn't recall a time the other boy had glanced at him so frequently.

Or grimace so often.

T's eyes drop to the ground when he catches his eye.

The looking away when caught staring though?

That was familiar.

Shame and guilt were T's fish and chips-

And T's plate was overflowing.

He hadn't even said much about the meeting-

Which, after seeing the whole fleet of OVs at least pretend to be okay with an election, worried him.

Actually, other than offering to take the blame for his deal with Senior, T hadn't really said much since the temple.

Could that be the reason behind the side glances?

Because he had been the one to deal?

No. If it had been about him doing something wrong, T would have already said his piece.

Which left him upset over the deal he made.

Or the lack of a deal.

He glances at T again and sighs as the other boy kicks a pebble-

His lip twitches at the signature sign of T sulking.

"Ya be wantin' ta say somethin' or-"

"Jesus, I get it. I was stupid." T spits out with a groan. "I fucked up. I know-"

"Nah T, don'nah be holdin' back," he holds his hands up between them, "be ah tellin' me how ya really be ah feelin'."

T's mouth opens only for him to blush and look away before he clears his throat, "all good."

He raises an eyebrow at the brazen lie.

Even for T it was bad.

He takes a step closer, "ya be sure?"

"Yep," T nods.

"Cause it be ah soundin' like somethin' be on yer mind, an' me lil' question be settin' ya off." He grabs T's shoulder, "come on mate, what's got ya thinkin' yer stupid?"

T's blush intensifies as he continues to stare at the mud beneath them, "why aren't you more pissed? I blew that shit harder than I do my darts.""

He has to take a slow, deep breath to keep himself from laughing, "so ya be missin' the mark on that deal, if that be the worse deal ya be ah makin' with him I can be ah livin' with that."

T slaps his face and drags his hand down it, "It was such a waste of that thing- He was creamin' himself over it- We could'ah gotten so much shit."

"Aye, but ya still be gettin' ta go inta ah place ain'nah even Deez allowed."

"Yeah but- Lookin' an' not touchin' or takin'?" He groans, "I'm so fucked."

"Ya be knowin' better than ta be fuckin' 'round with his deals," he crosses his arms over his chest, "an' I ain'nah likin' the fact I be the one arguin' on this side o' things."

T turns to him in confusion, "dude, I'm stupid not retarded. That ain't the type of fucked I-" He pauses, "wait no, yes that."

He sighs, "I ain'nah sayin' I be lookin' forward ta what Senior be askin' for the treasures ya find, I only be ah sayin' stop kickin' yer own ass o'er it."

He closes his mouth and nods, "right."

"Good. Now, we ain'nah bein' far from Hell Hall, we can be ah grabbin' the thing Deez be lookin' for an' then head back."

"Yeah," he nods as he looks up at the dark sky above them, "After that useless side-venture- Jus' yeah. I hate worryin' them."

"Aye."

They fall silent again as they travel, moving faster now that T wasn't giving him weird looks.

His brow furrows as they turn onto the street leading to Hell Hall.

Something felt… Off.

"Shit," T whispers sharply, coming to an unexpected stop.

He slams into T's back before he can stop himself.

Yeah, he saw it too.

Something was wrong.

When he'd lived on the Isle, Carlos had been nothing but Cruella's slave.

After getting to know the Pup, he couldn't help but ask more about him. And all it took was T's dodging and Deez's uncomfortable subject changes to realize that there was more than just the average sad story there.

The Pup cooked and cleaned and did everything for the foul woman.

But even though he wasn't here any more-

Even though the Isle had done it's very best to eradicate the lot of them-

Hell Hall was practically spotless.

Sure, there were a few cracks and some broken windows, but compared to the rest of the Isle-

What the fuck?

He exchanges a worried glance with T before they slip in through one of the glassless window frames.

He grimaces as his boots makes a squeak as he lowers himself to the-

What the actual fuck?

His eyes narrow at the polished floors.

How?

The outside had been merely clean in comparison.

This-

This was pristine.

T taps his leg, and tilts his head.

"I be makin' squeaks with the floor." He explains in a rushed whisper.

"Oh yeah," T frowns before he kicks off his boots, "here, move."

He rolls his lips over his teeth as he stares at the dingy socks T was wearing.

Taking his boots off in this house was one of the last things he wanted to do.

One story from Deez about getting caught in a bear trap was enough.

He wasn't a demi-goddess.

And he was mighty attached to his fucking feet.

"Ya okay?"

"Bear traps."

"There's like fifteen." He shrugs.

"Like fifteen where?"

"Oh," T blushes, "You're- Fur closet mostly- But she's been-" he pauses, "Actually-" he pushes his leg, "jus' makes more sense for ya ta' follow."

Right.

He could do that.

He takes a deep breath before he slips his boots off and slides to the floor again.

"T stuffs their boots in his bag before he jumps into the house, "C'mon, I can come back later to fuck this place up- C's room ain't far."

"Fair 'nough." He quickly falls into step behind T, though he couldn't stop looking around the immaculate room they'd broken into.

The dining room, with an enormous table set in the center under a glittering chandelier.

Who the fuck needed a table with-

Fourteen seats!?

"Ugh," T tugs his sleeve, "I get it, it's fucks it for? No ones visitin' the bat- now stop pirating an' c'mon," T tugs his sleeve, not letting go as he leads them further into the dark manor. "We can raid it later if you care this much. But I ain't likin' the sparkle.."

"Aye. How the hell everythin' be so damn shiny?" He whispers.

The floor.

The walls-

Though he did occasionally see signs of some kind of damage here and there.

Even the god damn ceiling looked spotless.

"Ain't lookin' forward ta that answer," T responds grimly. "Wasn't like this the last time I paid 'er a visit." He scowls. "I ain't-" He falls silent as he starts to creep further into the mansion.

Well that wasn't great.

T's expression rarely darkened like that.

He follows T soundlessly, gliding across the floor just behind him until they reach a door.

Without a single creak or groan T opens it and carefully slips into the dark room.

T freezes in front of him as something metallic clinks. "Yeah," metal clinks again, before a hand thumps against his chest, "that's what I was hopin' not ta find out here."

Great.

A bear trap.

In a dark fucking room.

At least they'd bumped it instead of setting the damn thing off.

"Do we just be pushin' it to the side or-"

"Uh," T frowns as his head moves side to side, as if he were somehow searching the dark room, "do me a solid?"

"Aye?"

"I'mma need ya to close your eyes."

"Why?" He asks, his voice cracking uncomfortably.

"I uh-" He pauses, "jus' trust me?"

He takes a deep breath before he closes his eyes and taps T's shoulder, "trustin'."

He stiffens when he hears a click followed by a stifled gasp.

"Shit." T hisses. "Don't. Move."

He'd never, in his entire life, ever pissed himself before.

He'd never even come close.

But in this moment?

It could have been a first.

Nearly was.

But he refused to open his eyes until his bladder knew who was number one.

"Were'nah plannin' on it."

"Cool-" T's hands press against his chest, pushing him until his back presses against the wall next to the door frame, before he takes his hand and pushes something into it. "Jus' hold this an' try ta keep your pretty blue's closed," he pauses, "please." He adds with an unfamiliar tightness

His fingers tighten around the tube in his hands.

A flashlight.

"Shit, T, there be more than one?"

"Sssshhh, I got it."

"But how ya seein' if I ain't followin' ya with the-" He opens his eyes to move the beam of light, and instantly wished he hadn't.

The narrow beam was lighting up row after row of silver shark teeth.

"T-" He tries to call out sternly, but his voice didn't want to cooperate.

"Ya opened them, didn't you." T groans as he bends over and yanks a trap up by the chain.

He can't help the small whimper, which seemed to be the only noise he was capable of making.

"Jus' stay still til' I clear it." T sighs, "an maybe learn ta listen a little?" He grouses.

He wanted to snap back.

Wanted to ask what about this shit show seemed like something that would make him move.

Wanted to say he was in the right about helping with the flashlight.

But he couldn't.

All he could do was stare in horror at the floor littered with traps.

Fifteen his fucking Deez white ass!

And T was creeping among them Like Uma swam through eels.

There wasn't enough nope on the whole damn Isle.

This was excessive, even for a crazy bitch.

What the fuck was she protecting?

He scowls.

T frowns as he gently picks up one after another to line them against the walls with more care than he'd ever seen the brash boy give anything.

When the room tries to tip him over he gulps in a deep breath of air.

"Hook!?" T hisses in concern.

"Sorry," he shakes his head as he wipes a clammy hand over his sweat-drenched forehead, "I did'nah be ah realizin' I were'nah breathin'."

"Next time maybe trust me?" T frowns before he continues his task of clearing the traps.

"It ain'nah bein' ah matter o' trust." He explains as he forces himself to take another deep breath.

"I said don't open your eyes."

"I could'nah be shinin' the light proper if I were'nah lookin'." He

"An' that would'ah been my problem. Try not to face plant."

"Workin' on it." He swallows hard.

He didn't have the air to argue the other part of T's statement.

"It'd be quicker if I jus' set them all off but I think the snap might…" He trails off as he continues to pluck another up.

"Be an alarm?" He finishes as he spots a door across from them.

"That too."

He wasn't sure he could have dealt with the sound of all the traps springing anyway.

The poor Pup.

If he ever saw that kid again he was going to hug him tight and apologize for ever teasing him about loud noises.

Fuck. Everything. About this!

After what had to be an eternity, T finally finishes.

But instead of coming back, he turns to stare at the half door on the other end of the room.

"Hook?" He whispers after a long moment, his voice uncertain as he continues to stare at the door.

Like it had just now dawned on him he'd been moving death traps for the last-

Span of fucking time!

A watch.

He was really starting to wish he'd kept his Da's pocket watch instead of hawking it.

He frowns as he shuffles across the cleared path.

He knew it was cleared.

Could see it with his own eyes!

But he couldn't force himself to pick his feet up.

When he finally gets to T's back he very gently reaches out, whispering "here," before he grips his trembling shoulder.

"Carlos is still safe right?"

Ice grips his heart at the desperation in T's voice.

The fear.

What made him ask?

But he didn't need that answer right now, T needed his. He swallows hard before he nods, "Aye. You an I be seein' the Pup ourselves. He be safe an' happy in Auradon."

Fuck he seriously hoped so.

They would have heard if Mal and her gang had been shipped back.

Right?

"Right." T nods slowly, but still doesn't move as he continues to stare at the door as if it were the bear trap.

"Did ya be ah hearin' something?"

"No- But I never have in here. Too much fur."

So it was a feeling.

Something so powerful he had to double check to make sure Carlos was safe.

If ever he believed in someone else's gut, it was right now.

"Let me be ah openin' it," he carefully pulls T behind him, waiting when he feels a hand grasping at his back, before he steps forward and gently taps the door handle with his hook.

As if he expected a set of teeth to spring around his hand if he simply tried to open it.

When, shockingly, that doesn't happen he takes a deep breath.

"Ready?" He whispers over his shoulder.

"Does it matter?"

He swallows hard.

As much as he wished otherwise, he shakes his head.

This time it didn't matter.

Ready or not, he needed to put an end to the tension in the air.

End the terror that gripped his throat.

He twists the door handle and gently pulls the door open.

He looks down into Uma's worried eyes with a frown.

No. He certainly did not like the idea that a couple of women believed he was herding children.

It was dangerously close to confirming his worst fear.

Close enough that he had to act.

"I believe you're right Captain, they were referring to me being a wizard, not a mere hero from Auradon." He admits with a sigh.

She bites her lip, as she glances back towards the Isle, her grip tightening on the hilt of her whip. "Shit."

Shit indeed.

"Captain, if I may, I believe it is important that you and James continue to search for more survivors, same as T and Harry. Carefully."

She sighs, "But you need to go back alone?"

He smiles sadly, "I would not ask any of you to risk yourselves doing what I must." He gently lays a hand on her shoulder, "And to be frank, I will be at a disadvantage if I am also trying to protect one of you."

She studies him for a moment before she takes a deep breath and sighs in resignation, "You'll be fine though, right?"

This was one of the things he cherished about this young leader.

She was not asking because he was valuable to her, but because she was genuinely worried for his safety.

"I will be fine. I have a supply of magical items, should I have need." He assures her easily, "But we need to be sure of this before we take unnecessary risks, and I am the only one who knows what to look for."

She glances back at the Isle, "This is about all the lil' ones we can't find, isn't it?" She asks, though he knew she already knew the answer.

He nods.

"Fuck." She groans.

"Allow me to investigate," He looks out over the ship, watching the reunions and taking a moment to enjoy the light hearted laughter, "and the moment I have what I need, I will immediately call for aid."

She slowly nods, "Got it." She steps forward and squeezes his arm, "Thank you."

He pulls her into a hug. "Watch over them Uma, don't let any more of the young ones out of your sight, and if you find any, get them to safety immediately. Let the others know?"

She looks ill for a moment before her eyes harden and she nods. "I can do that."

"Because you are a Captain worth following."

"An' leaders are only as strong as their advisors, so stay safe out there. We, all of us, need you."

He smiles as he takes a step back, "Aye aye, Captain." He salutes.

This was going to take preparation.

He would have to be in peak form if his worst fears were true.

And he was praying to any god that was listening that he was wrong.

Praying.

He'd been doing that a lot since the cracking of the barrier had stirred such ancient forces.

Natural and otherwise.

If- He nearly grimaces at the word.

If they made it out of here.

If they got through this.

If they managed to survive the encroaching darkness he could feel settling in his bones.

If they could manage all that…

He and Janice would be having a long conversation about spells and intentions.

Assuming he wasn't locked away immediately for punching the King.

The fuck do you think is happening?

It ain't like T to be scared.

Or cautious.

But he's staring at the door like it's about to spill his secrets to the Isle.

So what the fuck is it he's so afraid of?

Dead.

Harry and those bear traps.

How exasperated he was with T-

How terrified he got of the door because of T's reaction to it?

What do you think lies within?

What do you think about the election?

About who got nominated?

What's your best guess on who'll be the next leader of the Isle?

Shit is about to get serial.

I know, I know. I've been saying that for the last several chapters-

But come on-

Did you read that last scene?

Much love and appreciation

-Twisted